Where can I find the license for Akka, Play Framework and Activator and other Typesafe computer software distributed under an open source license?

I'm not a lawyer. What does it all MEAN?

Describing legal documents in non-legalese is fraught with potential for misinterpretation. Notwithstanding the text that follows, the actual text of the license itself is legally binding and authoritative.

That said, here's what the Apache Software License says in layman's terms:

It allows you to:

Freely download and use Typesafe Project, in whole or in part, for personal, company internal, or commercial purposes;

Use Typesafe Project in packages or distributions that you create.

It forbids you to:

Redistribute any piece of software licensed under the Apache Software License without proper attribution;

Use any marks owned by Typesafe in any way that is not consistent with the Trademark Policy.

It requires you to:

Include a copy of the Apache Software License in any redistribution you may make that includes Typesafe Project;

Provide clear attribution to Typesafe for any distributions that include Typesafe Project.

It does not require you to:

Include the source of Typesafe Project itself, or of any modifications you may have made to it, in any redistribution you may assemble that includes it;

Submit changes that you make to Typesafe Project back to Typesafe (though such feedback is encouraged).

Is 'Typesafe' a trademark?

‘Typesafe’ is a trademark of Typesafe, and are usable by others only with express permission from Typesafe. Please see our Trademark Policy for more details.

Is software from Typesafe free of charge?

Yes. Akka, Play Framework and Activator software and certain other software developed by Typesafe is freely available without charge from Typesafe's websites.

Is there a fee for using Typesafe Project in a commercial Project?

No. We do not distinguish between personal, internal, or commercial use of Akka, Play Framework and Activator and certain other Typesafe software. Packaging and redistribution of any of it is subject to the terms of our license, however.

May I license my own software under the same license as Typesafe?

Certainly. The Apache Software License was designed to be reusable and often has been reused by parties other than The Apache Software Foundation.

Yes, you are allowed to use and modify them. However, you should consider using the Apache Software Foundation versions of the Contributor License Agreements which were designed to be reusable and are the basis for Typesafe Contributor License Agreements. The Apache Software License Contributor License Agreements often have been reused by parties other than The Apache Software Foundation.

We recommend that you obtain your own legal advice so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.

Also, if you adopt these agreements for your purposes, you have to make sure that the phrase 'Typesafe' or any confusingly similar references or parts that specifically refer to the Typesafe organization do not appear in your version of the agreements (except to note that your version is derived and differs from the original provided by Typesafe).

I've made improvements to Typesafe Project; may I distribute the modified result?

Absolutely -- subject to the terms of the Apache Software License, of course. You can give your modified code away for free, or sell it, or keep it to yourself, or whatever you like. Just remember that the original code is still covered by the Apache Software License and you must comply with its terms. Even if you change every single line of Typesafe Project you're using, the result is still based on Typesafe's licensed code. You may distribute the result under a different license, but you need to acknowledge the use of Typesafe's software. To do otherwise would be stealing.

If you think your changes would be found useful by others, though, we do encourage you to submit them to Typesafe for possible inclusion.

May I call my modified code 'Typesafe'?

I have made changes to a Typesafe Project and I want to distribute them. Do I need to contribute them to Typesafe?

No. You can keep your changes a secret if you like. Maybe your modifications are embarrassing, maybe you'll get rich selling those improvements. Whatever. But please seriously consider giving your changes back! We all benefit when you do.

May I translate the Apache Software License into my local language for my redistribution of Typesafe Project?

Yes, you may translate the license text into your local language. However, any such translated text is only for the convenience of understanding, and is not legally binding. Only the English-language version of the license, which you must continue to include in your packaging, is authoritative and applicable in case legal interpretation is required.

Is the Apache Software License compatible with the GPL (GNU Public License)?

This information from the Free Software Foundation website applies:

Apache License, Version 2.0

This is a free software license, compatible with version 3 of the GPL. Please note that this license is not compatible with GPL version 2, because it has some requirements that are not in the older version. These include certain patent termination and indemnification provisions.

What is the scope of patent grants made to Typesafe?

This is actually a four-part question:

Q1

If I own a patent and contribute to a Work as defined in the relevant Typesafe Contributor License Agreement, and, at the time my contribution is included in that Work, none of my patent's claims are subject to Grant of Patent License, is there a way any of those claims would later become subject to the Grant of Patent License solely due to subsequent contributions by other parties who are not licensees of that patent.

A1

No.

Q2

If at any time after my contribution, I am able to license other patent claims that would have been subject to Grant of Patent License if they were licensable by me at the time of my contribution, do those other claims become subject to the Grant of Patent License?

A2

Yes.

Q3

If I own or control a licensable patent and contribute code to Typesafe Project, which of my patent claims are subject to Grant of Patent License?

A3

The only patent claims that are licensed to Typesafe are those you own or have the right to license that read on your contribution or on the combination of your contribution with Typesafe Project as it existed at the time of your contribution. No additional patent claims become licensed as a result of subsequent combinations of your contribution with any other software. Note, however, that licensable patent claims include those that you acquire in the future, as long as they read on your original contribution as made at the original time. Once a patent claim is subject to Grant of Patent License, it is licensed under the terms of that grant to Typesafe and to recipients of any Typesafe Project.

Q4

What is a Typesafe Project?

A4

The Typesafe Project is Akka, Play Framework and Activator and other Typesafe software licensed under the Apache Software License Version 2 and documentation or other Project owned or managed by Typesafe

Another Place to Look

If you have questions about Typesafe, its projects, or its software, we recommend contacting us at support@typesafe.com

If you have a question specifically about these licenses or distribution of Typesafe software, and it has not been answered by this page, you may send a message to support@typesafe.com requesting clarification.

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The Typesafe crew is thrilled to share that Scala Days SF was just fantastic. A big thanks to all who attended. We were wowed by our awesome keynoters, speakers and volunteer staff, and it was great to feel the excitement and energy at the beautiful Fort Mason.

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